Hongbo Lu

Bio: Hongbo Lu is an academic researcher from Hefei University of Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Liquid crystal & Terahertz radiation. The author has an hindex of 21, co-authored 137 publications receiving 1738 citations.

An ABA triblock copolymer strategy for intrinsically stretchable semiconductors

Abstract: A novel semiconductor–rubber–semiconductor (P3HT–PMA–P3HT) triblock copolymer has been designed and prepared according to the principle of thermoplastic elastomers. It behaves as a thermoplastic elastomer with a Young's modulus (E) of 6 MPa for an elongation at break of 140% and exhibits good electrical properties with a carrier mobility of 9 × 10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1. This novel semiconductor may play an important role in low-cost and large-area stretchable electronics.

Self-stratified semiconductor/dielectric polymer blends: vertical phase separation for facile fabrication of organic transistors

Abstract: Semiconducting/insulating polymer blends are promising materials for use in organic thin film transistor (OTFT) applications. Here, vertically phase-separated poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT)-top and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-bottom blend films were developed for the facile fabrication of OTFTs with excellent electrical properties. The microstructures of the blend films could be adjusted simply by altering the film processing conditions, which impacted the electrical properties of the OTFTs based on the blend films. A decrease in the P3HT content of the blend film significantly reduced the interface roughness between the semiconductor (P3HT) and dielectric (PMMA) layers, which reduced charge trapping or scattering, thereby increasing the field-effect mobility. A higher solution concentration tended to increase the drying time during film deposition, which allowed the P3HT molecules to self-organize over a long period of time. This led to an increase in the ordering of the phase-separated P3HT film, which significantly improved the device performance. TFTs based on a P3HT/PMMA (1/39 w/w) film prepared from a 4 wt% blend solution showed the best field-effect performance with a saturated field-effect mobility of 0.022 cm2 V−1 s−1 and an Ion/Ioff current ratio of 2 × 105. The vertically stratified P3HT/PMMA films were also suitable for the fabrication of all-polymer TFT devices on flexible substrates.

Aggregation-Induced Emission: Together We Shine, United We Soar!

Abstract: Ju Mei,†,‡,∥ Nelson L. C. Leung,†,‡,∥ Ryan T. K. Kwok,†,‡ Jacky W. Y. Lam,†,‡ and Ben Zhong Tang*,†,‡,§ †HKUST-Shenzhen Research Institute, Hi-Tech Park, Nanshan, Shenzhen 518057, China ‡Department of Chemistry, HKUST Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study, Institute of Molecular Functional Materials, Division of Biomedical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China Guangdong Innovative Research Team, SCUT-HKUST Joint Research Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China

Aggregation-Induced Emission: The Whole Is More Brilliant than the Parts

Abstract: "United we stand, divided we fall."--Aesop. Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) refers to a photophysical phenomenon shown by a group of luminogenic materials that are non-emissive when they are dissolved in good solvents as molecules but become highly luminescent when they are clustered in poor solvents or solid state as aggregates. In this Review we summarize the recent progresses made in the area of AIE research. We conduct mechanistic analyses of the AIE processes, unify the restriction of intramolecular motions (RIM) as the main cause for the AIE effects, and derive RIM-based molecular engineering strategies for the design of new AIE luminogens (AIEgens). Typical examples of the newly developed AIEgens and their high-tech applications as optoelectronic materials, chemical sensors and biomedical probes are presented and discussed.

Electronic Skin: Recent Progress and Future Prospects for Skin‐Attachable Devices for Health Monitoring, Robotics, and Prosthetics

Abstract: Recent progress in electronic skin or e-skin research is broadly reviewed, focusing on technologies needed in three main applications: skin-attachable electronics, robotics, and prosthetics. First, since e-skin will be exposed to prolonged stresses of various kinds and needs to be conformally adhered to irregularly shaped surfaces, materials with intrinsic stretchability and self-healing properties are of great importance. Second, tactile sensing capability such as the detection of pressure, strain, slip, force vector, and temperature are important for health monitoring in skin attachable devices, and to enable object manipulation and detection of surrounding environment for robotics and prosthetics. For skin attachable devices, chemical and electrophysiological sensing and wireless signal communication are of high significance to fully gauge the state of health of users and to ensure user comfort. For robotics and prosthetics, large-area integration on 3D surfaces in a facile and scalable manner is critical. Furthermore, new signal processing strategies using neuromorphic devices are needed to efficiently process tactile information in a parallel and low power manner. For prosthetics, neural interfacing electrodes are of high importance. These topics are discussed, focusing on progress, current challenges, and future prospects.

Infrared regulating smart window based on organic materials

Abstract: Windows are vital elements in the built environment that have a large impact on the energy consumption in indoor spaces, affecting heating and cooling and artificial lighting requirements. Moreover, they play an important role in sustaining human health and well-being. In this review, we discuss the next generation of smart windows based on organic materials which can change their properties by reflecting or transmitting excess solar energy (infrared radiation) in such a way that comfortable indoor temperatures can be maintained throughout the year. Moreover, we place emphasis on windows that maintain transparency in the visible region so that additional energy is not required to retain natural illumination. We discuss a number of ways to fabricate windows which remain as permanent infrared control elements throughout the year as well as windows which can alter transmission properties in presence of external stimuli like electric fields, temperature and incident light intensity. We also show the potential impact of these windows on energy saving in different climate conditions.

Highly stretchable polymer semiconductor films through the nanoconfinement effect

Abstract: Soft and conformable wearable electronics require stretchable semiconductors, but existing ones typically sacrifice charge transport mobility to achieve stretchability. We explore a concept based on the nanoconfinement of polymers to substantially improve the stretchability of polymer semiconductors, without affecting charge transport mobility. The increased polymer chain dynamics under nanoconfinement significantly reduces the modulus of the conjugated polymer and largely delays the onset of crack formation under strain. As a result, our fabricated semiconducting film can be stretched up to 100% strain without affecting mobility, retaining values comparable to that of amorphous silicon. The fully stretchable transistors exhibit high biaxial stretchability with minimal change in on current even when poked with a sharp object. We demonstrate a skinlike finger-wearable driver for a light-emitting diode.